It's the season for heat, so irrigate your garden

It's not quite summer yet, but the days are becoming longer and hotter. Heat can be unpleasant for people and for plants. That's sepcially the case when they don't have enough to drink.

The hotter it gets, the faster the water either evaporates from the soil or is consumed and then lost by the plant. Landscapers should make sure gardens receive about one inch of water per week. That means there needs to be at least an inch of rain, an inch of irrigated water, or a combination every week.

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Also remember to water propertly. The concept is water deeply and less frequently. That's more water less frequently.

Edible landscaping has really taken off in the next few years. When we say edible landscaping, we're talking about the idea of incorporating plant material that's edible into a given landscape instead of growing edible foods only in a food-growing agricultural area.

The rabbit eye blueberry is an excellent addition to the landscape. It provides food as well as esthetic qualities. It's also a part of the LSU AgCenter Superplant Program. The program highlights tough and beautiful plants that perform well in Louisiana landscapes.

When it comes to preparing beds for flowers, vegetables, or shrubs, you must do it properly to ensure success.

Before planting, do a thorough job of removing any weeds that may have grown in the bed. If it's a new bed, remove any existing turf. Be sure to be thorough about this as well. Turn the soil to a depth of eight inches and then spread a two to four inch layer of organic matter, such as compost, over the turned soil. Organic matter loosens the soil and helps with drainage.